Rwanda

Rwanda’s 1994 genocide left 800,000 people dead, decimated its economy, and tore apart its social fabric. More than half a million women and girls were raped, 70% of whom became infected with HIV. At least 400,000 children were orphaned, and many of them sacrificed their own education in order to bring up younger family members. Some 80% of those who were educated, professionals or involved in business either left the country or were killed. The genocide destroyed much of Rwanda’s meagre infrastructure, leaving survivors with little to start again. 97% of survivors witnessed the violence, and millions are still too deeply traumatised to realise their economic or social potential.